Dortmund duo sing Balotelli praises
Dortmund duo sing Balotelli praises
The mercurial Italian was involved in both of the meetings between the sides in the Champions League this term, netting a late penalty to earn a 1-1 draw at the Etihad Stadium in October before taking to the field at Signal Iduna Park to a chorus of boos on Tuesday evening.
Dortmund defender Hummels, who was left reeling by Balotelli's performance for Italy in the semi-final of Euro 2012 against Germany, has revealed he considers the attacker a "favourite" amongst his group of friends, and believes the reports of his off-the-field misdemeanours are often exaggerated.
Hummels, who swapped shirts with the striker after the match, told reporters: "Balotelli has a special meaning for me, my brother and my friends.
"I've had the order to get a shirt from him for two years. It did not work out after the first match and after the Euro semi-final when he scored twice against us I had other things on my mind.
"He's a favourite in our group of friends. We think he's a cool guy, a great player. I don't believe that all the stories you hear about him are that bad."
"He's a favourite in our group of friends. We think he's a cool guy, a great player. I don't believe that all the stories you hear about him are that bad."
Dortmund keeper Roman Weidenfeller, who was involved in a brief confrontation with the former Inter player before he struck the penalty in the draw in Manchester, insists he did not deserve the hostile reception which greeted him during City's 1-0 defeat on Tuesday.
"I feel a little bit sorry for him because all the supporters whistled," Weidenfeller told reporters. "He doesn't deserve that, he's a sportsman like everybody else.
"Of course everybody remembers how he scored against Germany, how he stole our victory in Manchester.
"But you have to admit that he's an extraordinary player. I think it's cool how he isn't influenced by anybody. He gets his share of beatings by the press but he keeps going his own way."
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